Argentina vs England: Coach Scaloni outlines formula to reach World Cup final
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has urged his players to combine their trademark grit with their attacking quality when they take on England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, insisting that determination alone will not be enough to secure a place in the final.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes his side will need to do more than rely on its fighting spirit when it faces England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, saying the defending champions must also play the kind of football that has brought them success in recent years.
Argentina have not had an easy route to the last four. Despite Lionel Messi scoring eight goals at the tournament, the world champions were pushed hard by Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the knockout rounds.
Those victories convinced Scaloni that his players have the character to deal with difficult situations. But against an England side led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, he wants Argentina to be at its best with the ball as well.
"We have desire and ambition in abundance. We need to play football, to play with the ball, which is where we've always been strongest," Scaloni told reporters in Atlanta on Tuesday.
"What we need is for the players, especially the ones who have led us to play great football, to be seen tomorrow."
Scaloni praised Kane and Bellingham, calling them among the best players in the world, but said Argentina had a clear plan to limit their influence.
"They're two great players, among the best in the world. They're players any coach would like to have," Scaloni said.
"We'll try to neutralise them with our own weapons and keep them from having a good game. We have our game plan and we hope to carry it out tomorrow."
Since taking charge in 2018, Scaloni has turned Argentina into one of the most consistent teams in international football. The Albiceleste have now reached the semi-finals of two World Cups and three Copa America tournaments during his tenure.
The Argentina coach believes those experiences can help his players stay calm in another high-pressure match.
"We have a little bit of experience playing these kind of games," he said. "It doesn't give you a real advantage, but perhaps it brings you into the game with a bit more calm and that's something that we've earned."
Scaloni said the players were excited by the opportunity to reach another World Cup final but knew they would have to earn it against a strong England side.
"We're joyful, pleased, anxious, excited, and we want to celebrate with our people," he said. "We want to give them the joy of seeing their national team play their hearts out.
"Obviously, our opponent is a great team as well. Nothing will be easy. Nothing will be given, and we'll try to get to the final. And we're going to try to enjoy the game."
The build-up to Argentina versus England has also brought back memories of the 1982 Falklands War. However, Scaloni made it clear that the match should be seen only as a sporting contest.
"The truth is, this is a football match," he said. "I can't mix things, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago.
"That was a very sad period in our history. And there isn't much we can do about that. This is a football match, nothing more."
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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes his side will need to do more than rely on its fighting spirit when it faces England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, saying the defending champions must also play the kind of football that has brought them success in recent years.
Argentina have not had an easy route to the last four. Despite Lionel Messi scoring eight goals at the tournament, the world champions were pushed hard by Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the knockout rounds.
Those victories convinced Scaloni that his players have the character to deal with difficult situations. But against an England side led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, he wants Argentina to be at its best with the ball as well.
"We have desire and ambition in abundance. We need to play football, to play with the ball, which is where we've always been strongest," Scaloni told reporters in Atlanta on Tuesday.
"What we need is for the players, especially the ones who have led us to play great football, to be seen tomorrow."
Scaloni praised Kane and Bellingham, calling them among the best players in the world, but said Argentina had a clear plan to limit their influence.
"They're two great players, among the best in the world. They're players any coach would like to have," Scaloni said.
"We'll try to neutralise them with our own weapons and keep them from having a good game. We have our game plan and we hope to carry it out tomorrow."
Since taking charge in 2018, Scaloni has turned Argentina into one of the most consistent teams in international football. The Albiceleste have now reached the semi-finals of two World Cups and three Copa America tournaments during his tenure.
The Argentina coach believes those experiences can help his players stay calm in another high-pressure match.
"We have a little bit of experience playing these kind of games," he said. "It doesn't give you a real advantage, but perhaps it brings you into the game with a bit more calm and that's something that we've earned."
Scaloni said the players were excited by the opportunity to reach another World Cup final but knew they would have to earn it against a strong England side.
"We're joyful, pleased, anxious, excited, and we want to celebrate with our people," he said. "We want to give them the joy of seeing their national team play their hearts out.
"Obviously, our opponent is a great team as well. Nothing will be easy. Nothing will be given, and we'll try to get to the final. And we're going to try to enjoy the game."
The build-up to Argentina versus England has also brought back memories of the 1982 Falklands War. However, Scaloni made it clear that the match should be seen only as a sporting contest.
"The truth is, this is a football match," he said. "I can't mix things, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago.
"That was a very sad period in our history. And there isn't much we can do about that. This is a football match, nothing more."
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
